Pakistan should do more to fight terror, Saeed was 26/11 principal architect: Clinton

New Delhi, May 8 (PTI): US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday urged Pakistan to do more to ensure its territory is not used as “launching pad” by terror groups for attacks and also said that Hafiz Saeed was one of the ”principal architects” of the 2008 Mumbai carnage.

Hillary's comments came at a joint news conference after her talks with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, who spoke of the need for elimination of “terrorist sanctuaries” in the neighbourhood.

Clinton and Krishna nudged Pakistan to bring to justice the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack and pledged to continue to work together in combating the menace.

During their talks, Krishna and Clinton discussed issues relating to Mumbai attack, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Iranian nuclear crisis with the American side hoping to see continuing progress in India reducing oil imports from Tehran.

“Combating violent extremism is something we all agree on...Pakistan should do more in ensuring that terrorists don't make use as launching pads anywhere including to attack the country and outside. The unfortunate thing is the attacks have taken the lives of 30,000 Pakistanis,” Clinton said.

In this regard, Clinton stressed for “more concerted and stronger steps” from governments in combating terrorism across the globe.

To a question on Saeed, the US's top diplomat said that her country has reason to believe that the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief was one of the “principal architects” of the Mumbai attack that took the lives of 166 people.

”We have issued this reward. We had earlier been successful. This is not unique. This is not a special case,” she said.

In his remarks, Krishna said the recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan capital Kabul highlighted the need for elimination of terrorist sanctuaries in the neighbournood and for Pakistan to take steps against terrorism, including bringing to justice the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks.